Charles Nicholas Bates was born in Strong, Maine, April 8th, 1863, and came to Iowa with his parents in 1869, where he lived until he was married to Nettie May Crapser July 15th, 1891.

After his marriage, he and his wife lived in different parts of South Dakota until 1896, then moved to Ionia and lived there until 1903. After living one year in Nashua, he and his family moved to Osage, where Mr. Bates was employed by the Western Elevator Co. for ten years, and one year by the Farmers' Elevator Co.

The last year of his life was spent Charles City, where he died Sept. 20th, 1916, at 1:45 p.m., after an illness of several months. He had been in poor health for years.

Three children were born to this union, two dying in infancy, one still survives him.